LSU offensive line named Joe Moore Award Finalist

LSU’s offensive line has been named one of the four finalists for the Joe Moore Award, which is awarded to the nation’s top collegiate offensive line. LSU is joined by Georgia, Oregon, and Washington in the finalists list.

“NEW YORK – December 6, 2023 — The Foundation for Teamwork is pleased to announce the four finalists for the 2023 Joe Moore Award presented by Enovis ™ DonJoy brand, which annually recognizes the most outstanding offensive line unit in college football. In 2023 from the initial pool of all 133 FBS offensive line units, the award has recognized 23 units on the midseason honor roll, 12 semifinalists and today announces the four finalists in the running to be named the top collegiate O-line in the country.  The finalists are (in alphabetical order) No. 6 Georgia , No. 13 LSU, No. 8 Oregon, and No. 2 Washington. For games played through Dec. 2, this year’s finalists have a combined record of 45-6, and average 506.6 total yards per game (compared to the national average of 385.6 total yards per game) and 175.0 rush yards per game (compared to the national average of 156.2 rush yards per game). In addition, three of the finalists are in the Top 10 for fewest sacks allowed and represent three of the Top 10 and four of the Top 13 Total Offenes, while three of the Top 10 and four of the Top 13 in the latest CFP  poll.* The Joe Moore Award has annually presented the unique award since 2015.”

The award’s voting committee will announce the recipient of the 2023 Joe Moore Award after a surprise visit to the winning university’s campus in late December.

*From the Joe Moore Award press release

Here’s what the Joe Moore Award website has on the Tigers’ offensive line.

LSU Football (9-3)

• LSU has started the same offensive line combination in 11 of 12 games.
• LSU leads the nation in yards per rush at 6.33 and has scored 32 rushing TDs (tied for No. 7 nationally).
• LSU has only been stopped for negative rushing yards on 2 designed run plays the entire season.
• LSU’s O-line helped pave the way and provide protection for the only FBS team to average 200 rushing yards (No. 8 at 213.5) and 300 passing yards (No. 4 at 334.3) per game.
• The Tigers’ O-line led the way for an offense that topped 40-points and the 500-yard mark nine times this year.
• The Tigers lead the FBS in scoring (46.4), total offense (547.8), third-down conversions (68-of-120, 56.7 pct.) and plays of 20+ yards (102), 30+ yards (51), and 40+ yards (29).
• The Tigers are the only team to rank in the Top 10 nationally in both categories.
• LSU has rushed for 200+ yards in 6 straight games during one stretch of the season
• What the committee is saying: “Interesting unit that plays with physicality and looks to finish whenever it gets the chance. Scheme and mobile QB help, but they have been consistent for most of the year and give that elite QB a lot of time to operate. Run their feet and strain well. All seem to anchor well in pass pro and they are expected to win 1 on 1 and usually do. Ain’t always pretty, but always effective.” 
• What the committee is saying: “LSU is a bunch of bullies that plays with a tough, physical edge that is fun to watch. With all the attention on their QB, their incredible finish, strain, and effort often got missed. But it’s all over the tape. Everywhere.”
• What the committee is saying: “This group attacks defenders and accelerates their feet on contact in a way that creates incredible movement at the point of attack. Very rare missed men, and I think I only saw one or two tackles for loss in the five games I watched. It wasn’t always as consistent across the board as they will be in the next year or two, but when they do it right it looks exactly like it’s supposed to look.” 
• What the committee is saying:“These dudes like contact and look to set the tone out of the gate. They fight for four quarters and they play is never over with them.”
• What the committee is saying: “Blunt force trauma, man. Holy smokes. There are some snaps where the defenders are getting ejected. Pass plays where three of the four rushers are on the ground. All look to finish. That is not natural, so it has to be taught and reinforced, and Brad Davis is doing an excellent job with the underappreciated group.” 

Offensive line coach: Brad Davis